JUNJAPPA
Junjappa (ಜುಂಜಪ್ಪà) is a cultural
hero belonging to the community of cowherds dwelling in forests. (kaaDu
gollaru) They claim for themselves a unique identity as different from regular
cowherds (uuru gollaru) in their beliefs and practices. ‘Junjappana kaavya’ or ‘kaaDugollara mahaakavya’ is an
important folk epic in Kannada.
The story of
Junjappa is essentially similar to that of
Even though
specific historical evidence is lacking there is room to believe that Junjappa
lived either in Rayakalavera Halli (Shira Talluk, Tumakur District) or Hagalavadi
(Gubbi Talluk, Tumakur District) Tradtional singers of Junjappa epic trace his
ancestry to Pujari Kandappa of Karadi Golla tribe. He had two brothers and a
sister in Maranna, Mailanna and Marakka. Junjappa temple at Hagalavadi and
Junjappana Hatti (Abode) which is near by are important land marks.
Junjappa
epic gives a mythological perspective to historical events and encapsulates the
entire historical evolution of the cowherd community. Junjappa is an
incarnation of Veerabhadra. He was born, unlike others through the back of
Chinnamma belonging to Kambara Golla community. Gradually, he becomes a saviour
of his community by his valorous deeds. He formulates their culture in an
organized manner and consequently he is deified after his death. The epic gives
a graphic account of his wanderings in the forest regions of
Devotees of
Junjappa travel from village to village carrying a bamboo pole called
‘Junjapana GaNe’. This pole is covered by multi coloured clothes and decorated
by pea-cock feathers and a cobra head. They collect alms from people belonging
to their clan as well as members of other communities. Junjappa is well known
for his skill in playing a wind instrument called ‘GaNe’. This big flute
(PiLLAngoovi) provides the back ground score while reciting the epic.
There is an
aura of magic and mystery around the personality of Junjappa. The epic takes
the reader back to the times when witchcraft and magic were legion. However
Junjappa is always anti-evil and uses his occult powers to protect his
community. He is also worshipped for his control over snakes and scorpions.
References: 1. ‘kaDugollaru
mattu avara SampradaaayagaLu’- Dr T.N.Shankaranarayana
2. ‘junjappana kaavya’ Ed. by Dr Kalegowda
Nagavara and Agrahara Krishnamurthy
3. ‘golla KaDaga’ by Meerasabihalli
Shivanna.
Links: 1. The epic of
Junjappa
text and performance
By Śaṅkaranārāyaṇa, Ṭi. Naṃ.